Johnny Manziel expects to be better in games than in practice

Johnny Manziel says Browns fans will see a difference between what he’s shown in training camp and what he’ll show when they start playing games.

Asked if he expects to perform better once the games start than he has so far in practice, Manziel said that’s always been his way.

“Always, for me, I’ve been better in a game situation than I feel I have in practice. But I have to come out here and get better with the reps that I’m getting. That’s the main thing, keep getting better, and then when it’s time to go out and play football, it’s time to play football,” Manziel said.

At Texas A&M, Manziel was often at his best improvising when plays broke down and using his feet to avoid the pass rush. But in practices, a quarterback doesn’t get that opportunity: Coaches want to see the play run in practice exactly the way it’s drawn up, and when the pass rush gets near the quarterback, the play is blown dead. Manziel thinks that makes him a better game-day player than practice player.

“There will be times in games, situations in games when things break down, and obviously it’s not practice, there are not coaches on the field, and it will be a little bit — it will be a lot different. But practice is what it is, and we have to get better,” Manziel said.

At the moment, Manziel is running the second-string offense, and Brian Hoyer is the starter. Manziel may have to play better in practice to show that he deserves to start when it’s game time.

Yeah right, if you can’t do it in practice what makes you think you’re going to be better in games? It’s more likely the opposite that’s probably what he meant. Just looking at his standing, foot work and body language, this clown doesn’t get it.. Glad we drafted Bridgewater. SKOL!!!!!!!

Johnny: if another QB does better than you in practice, how the hell do you expect to do better in a game situation? You’re holding the damn clipboard! The guy who did better in practice is out on the field!

A true pro takes pride in honing his craft. This guy clearly doesn’t. When the Browns tire of him, he’ll become a Cowboy. I’d say he’d wash out of the league, but Jerry won’t let that happen. So, Johnny Football will probably still be around in 7 years.

No way in hell in a fair competition Hoyer would beat out Manziel. Are you kidding me? A career journeyman backup who started 2 games for Cleveland and threw 3 picks a game vs the most electrifying player to ever step on an NCAA field? No contest. #UnleashJohnny

He better improve his practice game then or he won’t see the field. Unless forced by the owner, no coach would say “Well Hoyer has looked better in practice, but Johnny promised to turn it on at game time so we’re going with him!”

If he were better in practice, he might execute the intended plays better in games rather than having to improvise. If Manziel thinks lack of execution (i.e. improvising) = “better” he will never be a great QB.

Time to grow or stop wasting everyone’s time. Professional football is a man’s game and it’s serious business. I sure wouldn’t want to put the fate of my team in his hands so he can improvise. Bet Jerry Jones is happy today!

I hope Johnny gets it together. He was super fun to watch at the college level and could really give Cleveland something to be excited about. Thus far it doesn’t seem like he gets it yet. I think the worst thing Cleveland can do is rush him in. If they have another top 10 defense this year than they may not need a super powered offense.

Can’t improvise against NFL players like you can against undisciplined college boys. Just shows he seems to think the NFL is comparable to college and it’s not even close. Can’t wait to see this kid flat on his back.

You guys are a bunch a jerks for throwing a guy under the bus after four practices. He hasn’t even played a preseason game. Plenty of busts have looked great early in camp, and plenty of Hall of Famers have struggled early on. Don’t be so quick to rush to judgement.

I’m sure Johnny Manziel isn’t any less motivated now that he’s on a team than when he had a heck of a practice, pro day. Bridgewater had a less than stellar practice and was ostracized to Minnesota and selected at the bottom of the first round.

No way in hell in a fair competition Hoyer would beat out Manziel. Are you kidding me? A career journeyman backup who started 2 games for Cleveland and threw 3 picks a game vs the most electrifying player to ever step on an NCAA field? No contest. #UnleashJohnny
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the most electrifying player to ever step on an NCAA field
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that honor goes to the one and only…Andrew Luck.

Just as Tebow never got it in practice, was dynamic in games ( both good and bad), and refused to change his game; Mr. “Footloose” will find his NFL career very short. A real change in approach and attitude is needed.

He might as well see if he can somehow get signed onto that concussion suit now. 🙂
Trying to play backyard football in the NFL is going to be a lot different than what he got away with in college. As others have already referenced, this has Tebow written all over it.

bengalsucker says:
Jul 31, 2014 1:46 PM
Can’t improvise against NFL players like you can against undisciplined college boys. Just shows he seems to think the NFL is comparable to college and it’s not even close. Can’t wait to see this kid flat on his back.

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Michael Vick has had a very long career doing exactly that. He’s never won anything of note but the league spent a decade+ fascinated by Vick’s ability to run rather than his ability to execute the designed play.

He’s publicly thrown his coaches under the bus, admitted he never studied game film or the playbook while in Atlanta in his autobiography, and ran an illegal gambling ring. After all that the Eagles still gave him a 5yr/$100 mill contract because he could still run really fast.

There’s a reason he was passed over 21 times, including twice by the Browns. However, I want him to excel. I want Manziel to start week 1 against the Steelers. He would add pizzazz to an otherwise easy win for the Steelers.

bengalsucker says:
Jul 31, 2014 1:46 PM
Can’t improvise against NFL players like you can against undisciplined college boys. Just shows he seems to think the NFL is comparable to college and it’s not even close. Can’t wait to see this kid flat on his back.

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Michael Vick has had a very long career doing exactly that…”

Michal Vick is the fastest guy on the field, Johnny isn’t much faster than the Lineman chasing him. You forgot that minor detail 😉

Next he’ll say he’ll be better in the playoffs. lol. Can’t wait to see Suh suplex his *ss.
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You’ll actually have to wait quite a while for that. The Browns won’t play the Lions until 2017. Unless they meet in the Super Bowl. Which they won’t.

What Johnny Fratboy doesn’t seem to grasp is that he is in the big time now and practice isn’t just for him it is for everyone else as well. He was great in college no argument from me but the stuff he did in college won’t fly anymore he needs to learn to read the field, look at what defenses give him, and start to understand he will NOT be able to run around like he did in college.

“There will be times in games, situations in games when things break down, and obviously it’s not practice, there are not coaches on the field, and it will be a little bit — it will be a lot different. But practice is what it is, and we have to get better,” Manziel said.

Those times “when things break down” may be right after the ball is snapped to start the play and until the whistle is sounded to end the play….if he doesn’t practice well…..and he knows he has to get better but just makes excuses about how he’ll improvise…..oh goodness….

This is the NFL…..experience will be a very hard teacher….he’s going to get hit so hard and so fast…even by the worst defenses he may face….he’ll be so dizzy he’ll be seeing visions…

That one quote embodies all the greatest winners in league history. Sure there are some gamers that have made great plays and had great games, but the players and coaches that win the most are always the best at preparation. Jerry Rice, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Ray Lewis, etc, etc. All the greats prepare better than everyone else.

I don’t get the hate for Manziel or why people think he isn’t working hard. He was an amazing talent at aTm, did he not work hard there to compete against the “best” conference in the nation? Seriously, I know college isn’t the NFL but my gosh people back off him for a second.

Prediction – Johnny Football will turn it on in a preseason game and the media will anoint him as an instant champion – destined for the HOF. However, against good Defenses he will be smashed if he tries to improvise. The Browns don’t have a great big WR like he had at A & M in Mike Evans to get him out of jams.
Incidentally, Tebow had Aaron Hernandez and Riley Cooper to help make his passes look much better than they were.